Home City: Bakersfield, Calif.
Crash Anniversary: April 21, 2014
‘A whole new life’
In February 2015, Kristofer Carter was sentenced to seven years in prison. But once he is released, Mary Harris said, her daughter still won’t be able to walk, and her family still won’t be able to forget what he did.
In April 2014, Carter ran two red lights while driving his truck, jumped a curb, knocked down barriers at a gas station on Merle Haggard Drive, and crushed then 20-year-old Leann Harris as she pumped gas, and as her 17-year-old sister watched. Carter was driving while drunk.
Nearly everything on Leann was broken – worst of all, her spine. Leann is now a paraplegic.
Before the crash, Leann loved riding horses and driving trucks. Today, she needs help with everyday tasks. Many times, Leann says, she would rather have died in the crash.
“I was a healthy and happy 20-year-old at the time with my whole life ahead of me, filled with dreams and ambitions,” Leann said in a statement she reads to DUI offenders going through counseling courses. “Now, my days are spent with doctors, rehabs, and people taking care of me.”
Leann’s sister, having witnessed the crash, has frequent nightmares and panic attacks. More than a year after the crash, the Harris family spends a bulk of their time still in and out of doctor and hospital offices.
“We’re still trying to adjust to this whole new life,” Mary Harris said.
While she tries to move on and focus on Leann, it’s difficult for Mary to not remain angry, she said. She remembers the smell of alcohol on Carter when she saw him the night of the crash.
“I just couldn’t imagine someone stepping into a car when they’re that drunk,” she said. “If you’re drunk, please stay where you’re at.”
She said she’s thankful for MADD Kern County for helping guide her through the foreign court process, supporting her family, and giving Leann a venue to vent and inspire – all services provided through Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash fundraising.
Today, Leann speaks to DUI offenders, hoping that by sharing her experience with them, they will change.
“I will not let this chair break me or imprison me,” she said. “I will use this as a way to educate and empower people, motivate, and strengthen lives.”
----------
According to Kern County District Attorney's Office statistics, our community has seen at least 4,000 DUI arrests made each year since 2009, with 4,056 DUI arrests last year. That's more than 11 DUI arrests per day.
Sadly, many impaired drivers weren't stopped, and instead caused major damage to innocent lives. Last year saw 45 DUI crashes in Kern County with great bodily injuries, and 11 homicides while impaired.
Thousands in Kern County have subscribed to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving slogan, “Drunk driving ends here!”
Since 2014, local residents have stepped up and taken part in the annual Bakersfield “Walk Like MADD and MADD Dash” to support victims of drunk driving crashes and the local chapter of MADD in its mission, and have their voices heard. Heading into the fourth year, the event has raised more than $160,000.
But even one injury or death at the hands of a drunk driver is one too many, said Carla Pearson, victim advocate for MADD Kern County.
“The fight is not over,” Pearson said. “People are still making the choice to get behind the wheel after drinking, putting your life and their own life at risk. These are not accidents – they are 100 percent preventable crashes.”
Kern County will come together on Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Park at River Walk to help put an end to drunk driving locally. It’s supported by local law enforcement and prosecutors, as well as sponsoring business including Chevron, Kern Schools Federal Credit Union and Chain Cohn Stiles. Community advocates, victims and their families will be attendance.
Will you join?
---------
To learn more about MADD Kern County and the Walk Like MADD & MADD Dash, check out the media coverage below:
Community comes together for annual event to end drunken driving in Kern County (Bakersfield Life Magazine, July 2016)
MADD Bakersfield now has advisory board, planning committee in efforts to fight DUI (The Bakersfield Californian, August 2016)
Pulling together for a preventable problem (Bakersfield Life Magazine, September 2016)
Get The Word Out